I absolutely understand what it's like to be 'set up' to fail... I have experienced it the most in the workplace, being trained by someone and being purposely misinformed or not informed at all. I don't understand what it is about coworkers who want to see a person fail. I never understood why it wouldnt make more sense to embrace a new 'team' member than to create conflict that makes the workplace unbearable and disruptive. I still don't understand that mindset...

I have also experienced it with a significant other...again, I just cannot understand the point. What has made me the most angry is when the significant other has done it to my children, e.g., misleading my son when he called to ask for help diagnosing an automotive repair problem...that really steps over the line! Why such a 'desperate' need to be in control? Is it really worth the destruction it causes to relationships?

And of course...any efforts to 'discuss' the problem is met with 'desperate' (out of control) anger and adamant denial along with 'the audacity to suggest such a thing'...

So if you're feeling insecure about your social skills to begin with, these tactics certainly don't produce any sense of progress. I am such a 'socialworker' at heart that I tend to give up me to help others and to be met with that kind of treatment just baffles me.